I’m often asked what books I’d recommend for teaching technology in the classroom. Each year about this time, I do a series of reviews on my favorite tech ed books. If you’re already looking ahead to next year’s technology curriculum and want to fix some of this year’s problems, I suggest you consider the seven-volume K-8 technology curriculum series that’s used in hundreds of school districts across the country (and internationally). It’s skills-based, project-based, aligned with Common Core and NETS national standards and fully integratable into state core classroom standards.

The third in the series, the 156-page Second Grade Technology: 32 Lessons Any Second Grader Can Do, (Structured Learning 2013), available in print or digital, and perfect for Smartscreens, iPads, laptops. It includes many age-appropriate samples, reproducibles, Web 2.0 connections, thematic websites, pedagogic articles, and how-to’s. Because I edited this book, I made sure it includes pieces that I as a teacher knew to be critical to the classroom:

K-6 vertically-integrated Scope and Sequence

Certificate of Completion for students when they finish the year

a summary of steps for a 45-minute class period–usually 2-3 activities, arranged temporally throughout the year for ease of understanding by students. For example, a lesson is likely to include 2-3 activities from among typing practice, student presentations, project that ties into core class activity, problem-solving that assists with 1:1 initiatives

Common Core and ISTE standards supported

domain-specific vocabulary

Big Idea and Essential Questions for each unit

integrations to core classroom units

trouble-shooting solutions to the problems most likely to come up in the classroom

enrichments for those precocious students who finish the lesson and want more

a list of websites (PDF has active links). Both print and PDF can access a webpage on Ask a Tech Teacher that is updated yearly with new websites by grade level and category

a helplink (to this blog) to a teacher using the curriculum who will help you through the prickly parts of a lesson plan. This is FREE–no charge.

Where lessons center around purchased software, the authors made an effort to offer free alternatives. For example, instead of KidPix, teachers can use TuxPaint. Instead of Type to Learn, teachers can use a list of online keyboarding websites like Dance Mat Typing and Typing Web

pedagogy articles to help think through critical issues like keyboarding, use of the internet, how to use wikis in classrooms, and more

wall posters covering critical technology issues (like mouse skills)

monthly homework for grades 3-5

FREEmembership in a real-time teaching wiki where you can teach along side an experienced teacher using the curriculum every week

If you purchase the PDF, it’s in full color with hundreds of active links so you can click through to enrichments quickly.

Here’s the blurb:

The choice of hundreds of school districts, private schools and homeschoolers around the world and tens of thousands of students, this nine-volume tech ed curriculum is the all-in-one solution to running an effective, efficient, and fun technology program for kindergarten-eighth grade (each grade level textbook sold separately) whether you are the lab specialist, IT coordinator, or classroom teacher. Each lesson is aligned with both Common Core State Standards* (6th grade: aligned via Table of Contents) and National Educational Technology Standards, and includes an Essential Question, Big Idea, suggested Assessments, required materials, vocabulary, problem solving, teacher preparation required, how to extend learning, examples, grading rubrics, additional resources, and how students can collaborate/share projects. Using a tested approach that promotes literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, students learn the technology required to prepare for their future. The secret for you, as teacher, is knowing what to teach and when. Each textbook includes a K-6 wide-ranging Scope and Sequence, 32 weekly lessons, monthly homework (3rd-5th only), student Certificate of Completion, a comprehensive list of websites to support learning, articles that address tech pedagogy, and posters ready to print and hang on your walls. With your purchase, you receive FREE access to a wealth of online resources including hundreds of teacher materials that differentiate instruction, websites that extend learning, and free help from professionals using the curriculum (membership included with purchase). Note: Color and embedded links shown in Click to Look Inside are included in pdf only.

Here are comments from users of the K-8 series:

Finally, I discovered a sequential technology lesson plan that rips through a diverse selection of applications. As an elementary school teacher and homeschool parent, I appreciate this single curriculum covering K-6th grades. While creating outrageously fun projects, students unknowingly learn MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, Google Earth, Photoshop, keyboarding, and problem-solving among many others plus acquire the ability to combine the applications for report and research projects. My students are highly motivated to finish other assignments so that they can get to the computers. The lessons are fun, age-appropriate and content-appropriate. The lessons are fun and are self-directed to the extent that the child can read and is self-motivated. I am thankful for such a simple yet a gem of a product. Highly recommended!

–Tracy, teacher

This workbook is a great tool for helping your primary school student learn hands on skills for the computer. Typing exercises, key hardware terms and other activities are included and can be used pretty independently by the student. It’s been a great tool for our 3rd grader and supplements the activities given in class. Would definitely recommend!

–B Johnson, parent

My daughter is using this as a text in her computer class at school. The lessons are easy to follow and informative. She has learned a lot so far this year.

–Lori

Any questions? Post them to comments. I’ll answer them!

Disclaimer: I am one of the editors for this series, though it’s a collaboration of a team of technology teachers.

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Welcome to my virtual classroom where I've collected over 900 articles on all aspects of teaching technology in the 21st Century classroom.

I have lesson plans, tech tips, great websites to integrate technology into your curriculum, the most popular apps you'll find useful with your iPads, and current trends in tech ed. I'll answer your questions about how to teach tech, what to teach when, where the best virtual sites are. Need more--let's chat about issues of importance in tech ed.

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